Weaning--a nursing challenge.

Weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation and then to extubation is a challenge for critical care nurses who play a vital role in assessing a patient's readiness for weaning and managing the weaning trials. Traditionally, critical care nurses perform the process, but only under the direction and supervision of intensivists. This team approach is important but can lead to delays. I believe that with clearly defined boundaries a critical care nurse could expedite the weaning process of a patient from mechanical ventilation. An Intensive Care Unit protocol, which provides a valid framework from which professional advanced nurse clinicians could work, would give increased autonomy and legitimacy, avoiding unnecessary delays.